Afshin Rattansi speaks to Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, the Political and Media Advisor to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on America’s withdrawal from Syria, Israeli strikes on Syria, the West’s lack of understanding of the Middle East and the Islamist threat and ISIS bride Shamima Begum.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the world “can’t achieve peace and security in the Middle East without confronting Iran.” Pompeo spoke Thursday before the opening session of a Middle East security conference in Warsaw, Poland. (Feb. 14)

(5 Feb 2019) The top commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East told a Senate committee on Tuesday that he was not asked for his advice about a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria before President Donald Trump announced his decision. (Feb. 5)

(5 Feb 2019) The top commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East told a Senate committee on Tuesday that “the fight against ISIS and violent extremists is not over and our mission has not changed.” (Feb. 5)

In a speech at an army base in Toulouse, French President Emmanuel Macron says ‘the fight is not over’ in the Middle East region, despite the announced US withdrawal from the coalition fighting Islamic State jihadists in Syria.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells us ‘America is a force for good in the Middle East.’ Well that’s pretty amazing! And online censoring continues apace. Also, are the Democrats the party of war now? CrossTalking with Mark Sleboda, Dmitry Babich, and Marcus Papadopoulos.

The US Secretary of State has lashed out at the Obama administration’s Middle East policies, and has called for a new chapter in fighting extremists. Mike Pompeo also highlighted the main directions of current US policy in the Middle East.

But his speech in Cairo did sometimes echo one Barack Obama made there ten years ago.